Latest news with #KingCharles'
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
King's Birthday comes amidst ongoing cancer concerns, familial tensions and diplomatic tightropes
King Charles' whirlwind visit to Canada may have been a bit more than your usual Commonwealth tour. While the monarch didn't utter an inference to Donald Trump, his speech supporting the country as he opened parliament in Ottawa referenced the promise to 'protect Canadians and their sovereign rights'. It comes
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
King's Birthday: What's Open, What's Closed And How It's Decided Who Gets Honours
Explainer – King Charles' birthday is commemorated with a public holiday on Monday – what's open, how do those royal honours get chosen and should we still celebrate it, anyway? Nik Dirga, Digital Explainer Editor Explainer – King Charles' birthday is commemorated with a public holiday on Monday – what's open, how do those royal honours get chosen and should we still celebrate it, anyway? Here's everything you need to know about the holiday. What's open on Monday? Do I have to work? It is a public holiday, but some people may still have to work depending on their employer. Employees are paid time-and-a-half and entitled to a paid day off if a public holiday falls on a normal working day for them. However, if you are a contractor or working for yourself, you don't get those benefits. You can read more about public holiday rules for employers here. Trading restrictions don't apply on Monday as they do for Easter holidays, the morning of Anzac Day or Christmas. Shops, restaurants and cafes can be open as usual but it pays to check opening hours beforehand. I'm gonna want a latte, do I have to pay a surcharge? Because businesses have to pay employees more on a public holiday, it raises their costs. So some businesses choose to add a surcharge to their prices on holidays. The typical surcharge is 15 percent. However, businesses must be clear about announcing those charges to customers via signage, verbally or other methods. Customers can also complain to the Commerce Commission if they feel misled or a charge was excessive. King's Birthday is also about celebrating New Zealanders' achievements Dozens of New Zealanders will be given royal honours which will be announced on Monday for excellence in their fields. It's the second time each year honours are given out – they're also announced on New Year's Eve. Cool, can I get an honour? Who decides who gets them? Literally anyone can nominate someone living who they think deserves a Royal Honour. (Unless you try to nominate yourself, which is not allowed and also kind of weird.) The Honours Unit at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet processes between 800 to 1000 nominations a year, Blair Teesdale-Moore, senior communications advisor with the department, said. 'The unit prepares a draft citation for each one based on the information in the nomination and letters of support,' she said. The Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee then considers every nomination individually in a series of confidential meetings over several weeks. 'As chair of the APH committee and the King's primary advisor on honours matters, the prime minister advises the King on the final honours lists,' Teesdale-Moore said. 'By long-standing constitutional convention the King of New Zealand acts on the advice of the prime minister – this includes the formal approval of New Zealand Royal honours.' Once the draft list is set, it is then given informal approval by the governor-general, run by potential recipients first – 'a small number decline,' Teesdale-Moore said – and then it's off to the King, who is the head of our honours system. Hang on, the King was born in November. Why are we celebrating in June? King Charles III turns 77 on 14 November. So why are we wishing him a happy birthday now? Blame the weather. The tradition of celebrating the monarch's birthday in the northern summer dates back hundreds of years, and is tied in with the Trooping the Colour ceremonial event held every June in London. The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have been first performed during the reign of King Charles II from 1660 to 1685, the British Army says. In 1748, during the reign of King George II, the sovereign's birthday first became a celebrated holiday. Trooping the Colour became tied in to celebrate the monarch, no matter when their actual birthday was. Ever since then, the king or queen has basically had two birthdays – the real one, and the big old fancy military parade one. Trooping the Colour will be held in the UK on 14 June this year. Is the King's Birthday really something NZ should be marking in 2025? That's a matter of opinion and it all depends on who you ask. As part of the Commonwealth, King Charles is New Zealand's head of state. Of course, there have been calls to change that, which ramped up after the death of Queen Elizabeth II following her 70-year reign in 2022. Monarchy New Zealand organisation did not respond to requests for comment from RNZ by deadline, but on its website calls the monarchy 'something all Kiwis can be proud of'. 'It's a vital component of our government, a guarantee of our democracy, and a sign of our maturity and independence as a nation. 'The King is a completely apolitical head of state (who) represents all New Zealanders regardless of their political views. This cannot happen in a republic.' However, there are also calls to abandon the holiday celebrating a monarch on the other side of the world. Savage, the chair of the New Zealand Republic organisation, called King's Birthday an 'empty public holiday that celebrates nothing in particular. It is no one's birthday and even the Brits don't celebrate it as a public holiday'. 'It has already been surpassed by Matariki as a proper, meaningful public holiday. New Zealand Republic was one of the first groups to start campaigning for Matariki and we are campaigning to replace King's Birthday with a spring time public holiday in September.' NZ Republic suggests a replacement public holiday could be Citizenship Day, when New Zealand citizenship was officially established on 6 September 1948 by the passing of the New Zealand Citizenship Act, or Suffrage Day on 19 September, marking the day in 1893 that NZ signed into law allowing women to vote. But for now, your public holiday off is thanks to the King.
Economist
6 days ago
- Politics
- Economist
The king 'loves' Canada. Many Albertans want out
'The true north is indeed strong and free.' If King Charles' remarks on Canada's sovereignty sounded familiar, that is because officials in Mark Carney's new government wrote them. On May 27th the king delivered the throne speech in his capacity as head of state, opening parliament. Usually the job of Canada's governor-general, the last monarch to do this job was his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 1977. The king was drafted in to rally Canadians to Mark Carney's banner (Mr Carney's brother runs the household of Prince William, the king's son and heir), as Canada's new prime minister settles into his standoff with the pugnacious president of the United States, Donald Trump.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Black cumin seeds: Why everyone is talking about its anti-inflammatory effects and how it works
Black cumin seeds, also known as kalonji or nigella, have long been used in traditional medicine and culinary practices across Asia and the Middle East. These black seeds are now grabbing headlines in wellness and health communities for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But does it really have any of these health benefits? Let's take a look. Black cumin seeds, derived from the Nigella sativa plant, are small, black, crescent-shaped seeds that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cooking because of their potent anti-inflammatory effects. They help combat inflammation and support overall health. Are cumin seeds beneficial for health Black cumin seeds have been used for over 2,000 years in traditional medicine, from ancient Egypt to Ayurvedic practices. Historically, they were prized for treating ailments like digestive issues, respiratory conditions, and skin disorders. These seeds are known for their pleiotropic pharmacological effects, which means they influence multiple biological pathways and have various therapeutic benefits beyond just one primary function. The main bioactive component in the black cumin seeds, (TQ), has their ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. This promotes immunity, cell survival, and energy metabolism, which underlie diverse health benefits, including protection against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders, and even cancer. Chronic inflammation is linked to conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. The thymoquinone found in the black cumin seeds is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Studies suggest that thymoquinone inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines, molecules that trigger inflammation in the body. By suppressing these pathways, black cumin seeds may reduce swelling, pain, and tissue damage associated with inflammatory conditions. King Charles' Cancer Secret REVEALED | Royal Whisper EXPOSES Private Health Bombshell | WATCH Also, these seeds are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that support immune function. To get the benefits, one can consider adding black cumin seeds to their diet. Sprinkle on foods: Black cumin seeds can be used as a topping on breads, salads, roasted vegetables, yogurt, hummus, and dips. The slightly bitter, nutty flavour can elevate the dishes. In cooking: Black cumin seeds are commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. These can be added to curries, rice, or stews,. Also used in tempering and on flatbreads. Incorporate in tea: A few black cumin seeds can be added to herbal teas for their calming effect. Black seed oil: Black seed oil derived from them is also readily available in the market, and is often used for its and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it comes with its own pros and cons, so it's better to talk to your healthcare provider before using it.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Throne speech pledges ‘energy superpower' future but observers flag climate impact on cost of living
King Charles' speech from the throne was widely welcomed by clean energy, environmental and industry organizations in Canada for its emphasis on strengthening the country's economy led by a strategy to become the world's 'leading energy superpower' that was more competitive globally and combatted the climate crisis. But several cautioned that job creation and economic growth in the face of the ongoing US trade war must not impede progress on the energy transition when the cost of living is skyrocketing due to grocery prices jacked up by climate change-fuelled supply-chain upheaval; rising home insurance premiums connected to extreme weather; and tax hikes linked to paying for disaster recovery and infrastructure repair. In the throne speech, the first in almost 50 years by a sitting sovereign, King Charles said Canada could see 'the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War,' if a number of anti-growth 'barriers,' including those related to interprovincial trade, were removed. 'Given the pace of change and the scale of opportunities, speed is of the essence. By removing these barriers that have held back our economy, we will unleash a new era of growth that will ensure we don't just survive ongoing trade wars, but emerge from them stronger than ever,' King Charles said. 'It will enable Canada to become the world's leading energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy. To build an industrial strategy that will make Canada more globally competitive while fighting climate change. To build hundreds of thousands of good careers in the skilled trades. And to build Canada into the world's leading hub for science and innovation.'. Rachel Doran, executive director at Clean Energy Canada, a think-tank, said the common theme of the throne speech was that it is a 'time for change, not status quo thinking,' especially around the shift away from fossil fuels. 'Change means rethinking our trade relationships, investing in new and growing industries, building faster and more efficiently, and ensuring that affordability and sustainability are written into the DNA of all of these efforts from day one,' she said in a statement. 'It is clear, as mentioned in the throne speech, that Canada can and should action an industrial strategy that will both make us more globally competitive and combat climate change. These are not distinct but complementary objectives.' Doran pointed to studies from the International Energy Agency, a global energy watchdog, that showed Canadian household energy bills 'will shrink as we near net zero.' Rick Smith, president of the Canadian Climate Institute, a policy research body, praised the speech for its focus on speeding up development of 'nation-building' projects and infrastructure and working to make Canada a clean energy superpower as well as a global hub for science and innovation. Yet he flagged that 'any robust economic strategy must include effective action to fight climate change, make life more affordable , and invest in low-carbon innovation.' 'We urge the federal government to act decisively on five specific, critical priorities: strengthening industrial carbon pricing systems, finalizing methane regulations for the oil and gas sector, enacting Canada's Clean Electricity Tax Credit , establishing a made-in-Canada climate taxonomy for Canada's financial sector, and applying clear flood and fire resilience criteria for federally supported housing ,' Smith said. Climate change is 'already making life in Canada less affordable,' he stressed — and building a 'strong and resilient' domestic economy meant protecting homes and communities from the impacts of the emissions-driven environmental emergency. 'Acting swiftly on policy priorities [outlined in the speech from the throne] will strengthen Canada's competitive advantage in an increasingly unpredictable global economy, while enhancing Canadian sovereignty, resilience and energy security,' said Smith. Environmental activist group emphasized that the Liberal government should invest in the clean energy transition to create jobs and build the economy 'without robbing our children of a liveable future.' The group said Carney's goal of becoming an energy superpower must not depend on 'embracing false solutions like carbon capture technology, biomass, and liquified natural gas, which receive massive taxpayer subsidies and perpetuate pollution while masquerading as clean energy sources.' Speaking before the Calgary Chamber of Commerce last week, federal natural resources minister Tim Hodgson indicated that the government would , in fact, be investing in carbon capture, among other oil and gas industry priorities. Fernando Melo, head of policy at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, an industry group, said the throne speech signalled the country stood 'at a moment of fundamental change which is also an incredible opportunity to think big and to act bigger.' 'Renewable energy and energy storage are the most rapidly deployable, clean and affordable options available. We are pleased to see that Canada's government is looking to build. As the King said, 'In this new, fast-evolving world, Canada is ready to lead,'' he said. Lynn Cote, executive director of the Canada Clean Tech Alliance, a coalition of industry advocacy bodies, noted that while 'cleantech' had not been mentioned in the speech from the throne, she 'anticipated that advanced technologies will be included in building key infrastructure projects.' Dan Kelly, president of Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which advocates for the country's small and medium-sized businesses, said he was glad to hear 'conventional' mentioned alongside 'clean' in the stated aim to make Canada an energy 'superpower.' He said that the 2,000 energy sector companies in the CFIB's membership would be cheered by the throne speech 'in that it both continued the Trudeau government's focus on clean energy but included conventional energy too. 'That is a definite change in tone,' said Kelly. He added that his 'worry' having listened to the throne speech is that the government will not table a budget before the fall, when the 'rubber hits the road.' He highlighted the 'unfulfilled promises' of the preceding Liberal on business carbon tax rebates, with some $600 million still yet to be paid to CFIB members from 2024, and $2.5 billion in payments that remains 'taxable, unlike the consumer carbon tax rebates' which are tax-free. 'If we want to get our economy rebooted, we have a lot of unfinished business to do. Small- and medium-sized businesses are on shaky footing [due to the pandemic and US trade war] and this is all capital that could be invested in supporting Canadian entrepreneurship in evolving [toward the emerging clean economy],' said Kelly. Lana Payne, president of Unifor, a Canadian union representing 320,000 workers, said while it supported the government 'unlocking Canada's potential as a global energy leader, both in clean and conventional energy,' this ambition 'requires more than simply speeding up approvals.' 'It demands streamlined, comprehensive review processes that protect the environment, uphold Indigenous rights, and ensure public safety— all while creating good, unionized jobs and building a more competitive, sustainable economy,' she said.
